3 Things Living Wills Cover

You may think that a will is only beneficial once you’ve passed on. What can a will do for you while you’re still alive, anyway? Well, have you ever thought of what would happen if you were to get into an accident a lost your ability to communicate? What if you went onto life support? Who would be your advocate? The truth is, having a living will (which is just what it sounds like) can help protect you in these and other situations. Having a clear living will can also make confusing or difficult decisions easier for your family and care team.

3 Pros of a Living Will

Keeping Control of Medical Procedures

If you get into an accident and are left in a coma or otherwise immobilized (or unconcious) state, you won’t be able to give you opinion or consent for certain medical procedures to take place. By writing a living will, you are able to communicate ahead of time what you would have wanted to happen with your medical care.

This can be especially important in situations that involved a D.N.R. In the case of a D.N.R. (do not resuscitate), you sign (sometime before any incident) arises that you do not want to resuscitated under certain circumstances.

Gives you a Voice (Through Another Voice)

Maybe you’re in a coma. or maybe you simply cannot communicate. This is where designating a health-care proxy comes into play. Everyone, regardless of age, should have a designated health-care proxy. A health-care proxy is someone you’ve designated beforehand to make medical decisions on your behalf. After the age of 18, no one, not even your parents, have the rights to your medical records. Declaring a proxy makes sure that someone you know has your wishes and best intentions at heart is your advocate when you need them most.

Keeps Things Clear

Having a living will can also take the stress and frustration that comes with big medical decisions off of your family. Illness and injury can already be an emotional and difficult time for loved ones. Having your wishes made clear ahead of time can help prevent debate or argument about “what you really want”, and instead let them be there for each other and you.

Even if you can’t speak, you have the right to call the shots when it comes to your medical care!